Food and Drug Administration: Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption

On January 4, 2013, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released for public comment its proposed rule which proposes enforceable safety standards for the production and harvesting of produce on farms. FDA is proposing these standards as part of its implementation of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). This rule proposes science- and risk-based standards for the safe production and harvesting of fruits and vegetables. These standards would not apply to produce that is rarely consumed raw, produce for personal or on-farm consumption, or produce that is not a raw agricultural commodity. In addition, produce that receives commercial processing that adequately reduces the presence of microorganisms of public health significance would be eligible for exemption from the requirements of this rule. The proposed rule would set forth procedures, processes, and practices that minimize the risk of serious adverse health consequences or death, including those reasonably necessary to prevent the introduction of known or reasonably foreseeable biological hazards into or onto produce and to provide reasonable assurances that the produce is not adulterated on account of such hazards.

FDA expects that the proposed rule, if finalized as proposed, would reduce foodborne illness associated with the consumption of contaminated food. The FDA is proposing that larger farms be in compliance with most of the produce safety requirements 26 months after the final rule is published in the Federal Register. Small and very small farms would have additional time to comply, and all farms would have additional time to comply with certain requirements related to water quality.